SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs and No. 23 University of Science and Arts (Okla.) tallied six combined goals that led to a 3-3 stalemate after 90 minutes on Thursday morning (Aug. 21). Three total made penalty kicks, two by the Drovers, led to the tie after Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer jumped ahead 3-1 in the first frame. Senior Kierstynn Garner notched her 50th career boot into the back of the net with a first half penalty.
“It looked like a season opener,” said Head Coach Nick Smith. “There are times where we as a group were really strong, and created some good opportunities and chances for us. Then there were times when things broke down, which was to be expected in game one. I thought the mentality of our group throughout was quite good. I felt like if there was a winner late on, it would have been us.”
Expect the unexpected was a message from the coaching staff going into today’s game, which echoed loudly after USAO’s Emali Goulas made good on a penalty chance in the second minute of play. Unshaken by the early tally, the Seward side responded with a free penalty of their own via the goal scoring Garner.
Two other Dawgs continued the first half onslaught as Kyana Rios and Charli Preister completed the three goal rally. Priester, a freshman out of Columbus, Neb., received a dialed-in assist via Ashlee Trujillo, and it only took one touch before the shot went past the keeper. The midfield controlled the ball in much of the first half led by Niah Kirchner and Evie Keller in her first collegiate game.
“Evie was great today," Smith said. "She was an all-action player. She wants the ball and the responsibility. She makes good things happen for us. Her and other freshmen had some good moments today. Charli Preister got herself a goal in her debut as well. I think it just speaks to the quality of the class.”
The chances came in the second half but the Dawgs couldn’t convert as NAIA All-American Ilse de Jong put two in goal (one penalty) to knot up the contest. Concordia’s eight shots seem to be meaningful as the Drovers tallied 15.
The Bulldog lineup boasted new faces as Abby Haynes, Aaliyah Matthews, Keller, Preister and Guadalupe Sanchez made their debut inside Bulldog Stadium. Shelby Rugg returned to the starting lineup after being injured the previous season. Garner picked up the assist in the second goal for Concordia.
USAO had nine second half shots with four corner kicks in the second frame. Ilse de Jong shot eight times for the Drovers and led the team with four shots on goal. USAO will face MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) in Olathe, Kan., on Saturday.
The Bulldogs will also have a quick turnaround hosting No. 4 Columbia College in its season opener on Saturday. The two teams will take the field at 7:30 p.m. in Seward and will rematch from last season, which resulted in a 4-0 loss for Concordia.